Manager Frank Robinson couldn't have written it any better. He got a great outing by Tony Armas Jr., and the bats came alive to pound a season-high five home runs against the Reds, two coming off the bat of Jose Guillen and a 492-foot shot by Alfonso Soriano.

When it rained, it poured on Tuesday for Reds pitchers. Brandon Claussen allowed four runs on 11 hits, including three home runs, and the Nationals belted two more out of the yard before the evening was over.